Five interrelated novels about a mysterious German author and the rapes and murders of countless women in a Mexican border town.

This book feels slightly flawed in a way that makes me hold back on calling it a truly great book, but it is still one of the most powerful and affecting books I've read in a long time. I was so swept up and consumed by this book I found it hard to believe it was over when it was, and even a month later I still have it sitting next to me on my desk because I find it hard to put it away and let it go.

And yet this is not exactly the kind of book that I would feel comfortable forcing on my friends ("you MUST read this book") because there are parts of it that are truly difficult (4 page long sentences, violent and explicit content, dozens of unrelated side plots that never resolve). It is not a fun book you stay up all night reading. But for me it is a book that has enriched my life having read it, and a book that I can absolutely recommend if you are willing to take it on.